Sunday Qb rotations and notes

[BangTheBook]

SUNDAY'S GAMES 8/20/06

San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer, Jessie Palmer, Shaun Hill.

Mike Nolan said he expects quarterback Trent Dilfer to play in relief of Alex Smith against the Raiders. Dilfer was held out of last week's game to give him another week to solidify his rehabilitation from arthroscopic knee surgery in February. Rookie tight end Vernon Davis didn't catch a pass against Chicago and the 49ers probably will try to get him more involved against the Raiders.

Norv Turner is the new offensive coordinator, the former head coach let go by the Raiders.

Center Jeremy Newberry underwent surgery on his left knee Tuesday, and will spend the rest of the season on injured reserve.

Cornerback Shawntae Spencer suffered a left-hamstring injury and is not expected to play. Rookie Marcus Hudson, Derrick Johnson and B.J. Tucker also could get increased repetitions at cornerback depending on how long Spencer is out. Johnson moves in as the nickel back.

The 49ers' starting tailback job is "wide open" between Kevan Barlow and Frank Gore, with Maurice Hicks and rookie Michael Robinson also making their presence felt. Barlow, the team's starter the last two seasons, continues to take the first-team practice snaps, though Gore also works with some first-team personnel groups. Hicks and Robinson are getting their share of work with the second and third teams.

Oakland Raiders - QB Rotation: Aaron Brooks (first half), Andrew Walter (3rd Q), Marques Tuiasosopo (4th Q).

Art Shell said he intends to go with his starters for "at least a half." They played approximately one quarter in each of the first two games.

After missing the Raiders' first two exhibition games because of a lingering calf injury, WR Jerry Porter is expected to play Sunday. Fellow WR Ronald Curry (Achilles) will not play for the third game in a row. Injured left guard Barry Sims (elbow) will be replaced by Corey Hulsey in the starting lineup Sunday against the 49ers.

The Raiders are working on starting fast this game. That hasn't happened in their two exhibitions, as the offensive and defensive starters got outplayed by their counterparts in victories against the Eagles and Vikings.

Art Shell wants more physical play.

Brooks, signed as a free agent from the Saints, will start. Brooks is the heir apparent to Kerry Collins over Andrew Walter, No. 2 on the depth chart.

Seattle Seahawks - QB Rotation: Matt Hasselbeck (1st Q+), Seneca Wallace (most of the duty), Gibran Hamden (mop up).

Matt Hasselbeck will start and perhaps play a little longer than last week, depending on the length of the Seahawks' first possessions and when they get the ball. "I want him to get a certain number of plays, a certain number of throws," Holmgren said. "Then whenever that hits, like last week they [the Cowboys] had that long drive and ate up a lot of the first quarter. If it would be just reversed, then I'd get him out of the game probably, but he needs to get a couple snaps."

Hasselbeck will give way to Seneca Wallace, who will see most of the playing time. Then the plan is to put in Gibran Hamdan, who is trying to win the No. 3 quarterback job. Hamdan did not play last weekend, as David Greene finished the game.

Wideouts thin. Players currently unable to practice because of injury: TE Jerremy Stevens, WRs Darrell Jackson, D.J. Hackett, Keenan Howry and Skyler Fulton. Jackson (knee) won't play until Aug. 26. WR D.J. Hackett returned to practice Friday after two weeks away to recover from a hamstring injury. He won't play against the Colts.

Center Robbie Tobeck, recovering from elbow surgery, will not play Sunday. Nor will left guard Floyd Womack, who is soon to come back from a strained right hamstring. Defensive ends Grant Wistrom and Joe Tafoya worked with the scout team but won't play. Neither will defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, practicing after knee surgery but not yet ready for tackling and hitting. TE Jerramy Stevens won't play. Neither will defensive tackles Marcus Tubbs and Russell Davis, though Tubbs is close to coming back from an Achilles injury.

Two players who began practicing recently, safety Michael Boulware and cornerback Jordan Babineaux, are expected to play, even though Boulware did not practice Friday morning. The only question mark is middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who coach Mike Holmgren said will make the trip but is unlikely to play because of a groin pull.

Secondary thin, with CBs Jordan Babineaux and Jimmy Williams, and S Michael Boulware hurting.

TE Jeremy Stevens was hurt during practice late this week and had to be carted off the field. Stevens was back in Seattle for knee surgery and is expected to miss at least 6 weeks.

Mike Holmgren does not game plan for opponents during the exhibition season. After Wallace leaves the game, Holmgren wants Gibran Hamden to play at QB as he is fighting with David Greene for the third string spot. Greene likely won't play this week.

Grant Wistrom and starting defensive tackle Rocky Bernard are back in camp, but won't play this weekend.

Indianapolis Colts - QB Rotation: Peyton Manning (18-20 plays), Jim Sorgi (2nd Q+), Shaun King, Josh Betts, Mike McGann.

After a one-and-done series in the Indianapolis Colts' preseason debut, QB Peyton Manning and several other front-line offensive players can anticipate a heavier workload in Sunday night's game. Manning and the No. 1 offense are expected to log at least 18 plays against the Seahawks. Last week at St. Louis, Manning, receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne and a few other offensive starters were on the field for only the first series. They made the most of the seven-play drive, generating a touchdown.

"We'll see how it goes, but as a group they just need to get more plays," coach Tony Dungy said. "We're probably looking at 18 to 25 plays. "I wouldn't be surprised to see those guys play into the second quarter." The No. 1 defense also will see more extensive work, though it probably will be short-handed. Tackles Montae Reagor and Corey Simon and safeties Bob Sanders and Mike Doss are likely to sit out. WR Brandon Stokley still is recovering from a sprained left ankle and will not play.

Defense thin. Defensive tackle Corey Simon also will not play against the Seahawks. Among players still sidelined are defensive tackle Montae Reagor (knee), cornerback Tim Jennings (foot), and safeties Antoine Bethea (knee) and Dexter Reid (shoulder).

Kicker Adam Vinatieri missed practice Tuesday with a sprained ankle. The uncertainty surrounding Vinatieri meant resigning place-kicker Shane Andrus, who was waived over the weekend. The Colts Punter Hunter Smith joined the list Tuesday, suffering a strained groin that will keep him out of Sunday's preseason game against Seattle.

[jtsneaks]

Great notes, I hink I am going to take the niners tonight, but still looking around.

JT